CHARGING CONTROL DEVICE, SOLAR POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND CHARGING CONTROL METHOD

• US 20140253014A1
• Filed: 11/20/2012
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Nishikawa, Takeo, Yamada, Junichiro, Ohashi, Makoto, Okada, Wataru, Sunahata, Yoshinori
• Granted Patent: US 9,337,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources maximum power point systems in particular G05F1/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a charging control device, a solar power generation system and a charging control method which allow more efficient charging. The charging control device includes: a charging converter which takes electric power out of a solar panel and converts the electric power to a voltage required for charging a storage battery; and a controlling CPU which adjusts an output voltage that is outputted from the charging converter. The charging converter takes electric power out of the solar panel at two operation points where the electric power can be taken out of the solar panel with a certain output voltage, and charges the storage battery. The controlling CPU adjusts the output voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between input voltages respectively corresponding to the two operation points. The present technique is applicable, for example, to the charging control device of the solar power generation system.

Claims

1. A charging control device, comprising:

a conversion unit configured to take electric power out of an electric power generation unit that generates electric power, and configured to convert the electric power to a voltage required for charging a storage battery; and

an adjustment unit configured to adjust an output voltage that is outputted from the conversion unit,

wherein

the conversion unit takes electric power out of the electric power generation unit at two operation points where the electric power can be taken out of the electric power generation unit with the output voltage, and charges the storage battery, and

the adjustment unit adjusts the output voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between input voltages respectively corresponding to the two operation points.

2. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the output voltage in accordance with a predetermined function with the voltage difference between the input voltages regarded as a variable.

3. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the output voltage so as to

decrease the output voltage in the case of the voltage difference between the input voltages being smaller than a predetermined first set value, and

increase the output voltage in the case of the voltage difference between the input voltages being larger than a predetermined second set value.

4. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit changes in a broad range a voltage of the electric power that is taken out of the electric power generation unit, to detect the two operation points where the outputted voltage becomes the output voltage adjusted by the adjustment unit.

5. The charging control device according to claim 4, wherein, after detecting the two operation points, the conversion unit repeats processing of changing the voltage of the electric power that is taken out of the electric power generation unit in the vicinities of the input voltages corresponding to the two operation points and newly detecting two operation points to adjust the output voltage.

6. The charging control device according to claim 1, wherein only the conversion unit is disposed as a unit configured to convert electric power on wiring that connects the electric power generation unit and the storage battery at the time of charging the electric power generated by the electric power generation unit into the storage battery.

7. A solar power generation system, comprising:

a conversion unit configured to take electric power out of a solar panel that generates electric power in accordance with irradiation with sunlight, and configured to convert the electric power to a voltage required for charging a storage battery; and

an adjustment unit configured to adjust an output voltage outputted from the conversion unit,

wherein

the conversion unit takes electric power out of the solar panel at two operation points where the electric power can be taken out of the solar panel with the output voltage and charges the storage battery, and

the adjustment unit adjusts the output voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between input voltages respectively corresponding to the two operation points.

8. A charging control method for a charging control device which comprises:

a conversion unit configured to take electric power out of an electric power generation unit that generates electric power, and configured to convert the electric power to a voltage required for charging a storage battery; and

an adjustment unit configured to adjust an output voltage that is outputted from the conversion unit,

the method comprising steps where

the conversion unit takes electric power out of the electric power generation unit at two operation points where the electric power can be taken out of the electric power generation unit with the output voltage and charges the storage battery, and

the adjustment unit adjusts the output voltage in accordance with a voltage difference between input voltages respectively corresponding to the two operation points.